Caroline said in an interview with Now magazine this week: 'I feel like I shouldn’t have to worry about what I do. But it’s a social thing that people aren’t accepting of big age gaps.'

'Some people tend to see the negative immediately and that's what I find really strange.'

'If two people like each other and get on, why does anyone else find a negative in it? I know it's human nature for everyone to gossip. But why say it's bad? No one's being hurt at all in anyway. '

Are those for Harry? Caroline was spotted in a London flower shop yesterday

Defending the 15 year age gap between them, she added: 'I keep thinking, "What have I done wrong?" But I haven’t done anything wrong.

'What’s hard for me to get my head around is people saying it’s disgusting. I don’t think it is.'

But Harry has stood by her and been very supportive: 'He told me: "Don’t listen to Twitter.’ He became the mature one at that point. I was like: "I know but it’s still quite hurtful." I try not to say anything back.'

But it seems that Caroline Flack's secret is finally out as One Direction singer Harry Styles, 17, was seen leaving her home London home at 9.30am yesterday morning, confirming the 32-year-old is smitten with the school-leaver.

In pictures that will break the hearts of One Direction's young female fans, the tousle-haired heartthrob was seen leaving the Xtra Factor host's home carrying his overnight bag.

Caroline emerged two hours later at 11.30am with a wry smile from her Muswell Hill home, but hiding behind her trendy sunglasses.

Dressed in tight plum coloured AX Paris jeans, black boots and carrying a black floppy hat, the presenter hurried off to an appointment.

Cougar time: Caroline Flack looks every inch the sex kitten in her leopard print body as she defends big age gaps in relationships

According to The Sun newspaper, 17-year-old Harry arrived the night before at 10pm.

Earlier Caroline had been spotted buying food and wine for what appeared to be a romantic evening in - though Harry is not legally old enough to drink any alcohol.

The pair first sparked speculation of a romance back in October, when they shared a drunken kiss at a party and were caught on camera flirting during the reality series spin-off show broadcast on ITV2.

Floppy-haired Harry was later quizzed about the kiss, which can be seen in the video below, but he fails deny the accusation while quipping that Caroline is 'hot'.

Last month, the pair were seen sharing desserts at a restaurant in St Martin's Lane Hotel, London, before leaving together in the same taxi.

The news may come as a something of a disappointment to Harry's mother Anne who has allegedly told friends she is not keen on the relationship.

'Caroline is a worldly woman, who is never short of male attention. Anne just feels Harry needs to stick to girls his own age and says Caroline should back off!'

Back to work: Harry looked tired today during band rehearsals at a London studio with One Direction

Boy band break: Liam, Zayn and Louis were all spotted outside the studio

The pair first sparked speculation of a romance back in October, when they shared a kiss and were caught on camera flirting during the reality series spin-off show broadcast on ITV2.

Floppy-haired Harry was later quizzed about the tender moment, which can be seen in the video below, squirming awkwardly in his seat and failing to deny the accusation while quipping that Caroline is 'hot'.

In 2009, Flack was rumoured to be dating Prince Harry, but she later claimed he was just a friend who she confided in following the breakdown of her three-year relationship with The Holloways drummer Dave Danger.